The regular exposure of corruption in France by the press may explain why a recent survey of public attitudes shows an increasing cynicism concerning the integrity of politicians, but also why it is not accompanied by any universal sense of outrage.

Whereas a similar national survey in 1977 showed that 38% believed elected officials had a tendency to be corrupt, now 60% hold this view. The survey was carried out earlier this year by the Centre for Political Research (Cevipof).

Government ministers were considered the most likely to be corruptible: 78% of those interviewed put them at the top of the list of politicians susceptible to bribes and 85% believed the courts were far too lenient towards them when their actions were exposed.

Of equal significance, perhaps, was that the majority of French citizens saw little or nothing wrong in offering bribes and their votes to politicians in return for some reward. More than 72% would do so to obtain a place in a municipal crèche, 70% to get a friend or relative a job in the civil service, and almost 50% to jump the queue for municipal housing. Only one in four of those interviewed unreservedly condemned the absence of honesty.